LETTERS for the April 5 issue

April 5, 2018

I'm so embarrassed. My little two-seater sports car, with only four inches of clearance, "got stuck" on top of a parking lot median in the far backside of Lahaina Cannery Mall a few weeks ago.

It didn't get stuck, teetering on top of the median by itself - it was operator error. It was dark out at 8:30 p.m., and I didn't see the median.

Mahalo to all the local boys who came over to help and got my car lifted off! You guys were really sweet. I can't thank you enough! And a big mahalo to the man who came over and helped, too. I really appreciate your help!

Lahaina men and boys are the best! Mahalo!

ANDREA HAIGH, Kaanapali

------------------

Day honors Vietnam War veterans

An act of Congress honoring Vietnam veterans with a day of recognition was signed into law last year. March 29 is now designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day by the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act represents the first federal statute recognizing the bravery and sacrifice of veterans who served during the Vietnam War.

On Thursday, March 29, many public and private institutions flew the Flag of the United States of America and finally gave our heroes the additional recognition they deserve.

To this end, 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration Partner events are conducted each day across our nation. The objective of these events is to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as Prisoners of War, and to acknowledge those listed as missing in action.

On Maui, we aim to recognize their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of those veterans. The official mission will be complete when all Vietnam War veterans have been thanked and honored for their service, valor and sacrifice.

On behalf of a grateful nation, Daughters of the America Revolution, Haleakala Chapter salute all brave men and women who served and extend a sincere belated welcome home! To the families who gave the supreme sacrifice, you and your loved ones are never forgotten.

As commemorative partners, public and private pinning ceremonies are conducted on Maui in the spirit of aloha. An official Vietnam veteran lapel pin is available for United States veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location. It's "A Lasting Memento of the Nation's Thanks!"

SUSAN ADAMS NEALY, Daughters of the American Revolution, Haleakala Chapter

------------------

Why did lawmakers even consider medical-assisted suicide?

Aloha, members of the Hawaii State Senate. As the world watches the Hawaiian Islands' state government, why would a place so rich in its culture, and beauty of a people, ever consider such a bill (Hawaii medical-assisted suicide, HB 2739)?

We all need to ask some very hard questions of ourselves. Would you, as a human being, consider yourself as a candidate of Hawaii medical-assisted suicide? Taking away your own HOPES in medicine, family and of your maker? As one would tell you, this is the end of your life here. Are we imbedding this culture deeper into the people of Hawaii? What about wrong diagnoses? Credibility to the attending healthcare provider? Reputations?

LEO THINER BRICKEY, Honokowai

------------------

Mahalo to Napili Market

I have lived in Napili since the mid-1980s and have been shopping at the Napili Market since it was built in the early '90s.

The "neighborhood market" has been serving our community for all these years. It is clean and professionally managed, but most of all, it is family friendly. Its employees are all about customer service.

Even during peak hours when the lines are backed up, the cashiers are smiling. I don't know how they do it sometimes. It is remarkable and inspiring.

Recently, I left my wallet at the cashier's station one Sunday afternoon, and I didn't discover it was missing until 9 that evening. In a panic, I checked my house, all nooks and corners and inside my car with a flashlight. I knew I had to have left it at the store.

I called. Customer service was right there and told me, "Yes, it's here!"

I love you, Napili Market; thanks for all your goodness and aloha every day of the year.

NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST

------------------

Boo Boo Zoo seeks support for project

We have a big project we are working on, and we need your help. We have started a GoFundMe Page at www.gofundme.com/rehabilitation-barn; please donate if you can and help us spread the word!

We are raising funds to build a rehabilitation barn for injured farm animals. It will accelerate the healing process and improve their comfort and well-being. It will allow our caretakers to comfortably stay with the recovering animals 24 hours a day. We already do that now, in a small and noisy space.

The new barn will provide a safe, comfortable and quiet environment that is critical to their recovery. It will provide a calm and accessible place for onsite veterinary checkups and procedures. It will free up current facilities to provide more room for our entire animal population.

We are profoundly grateful for any contribution you can make. All of our animals thank you for giving them a better life. Love is helping the helpless.

EAST MAUI ANIMAL REFUGE, Haiku

------------------

Return government to the people

Do you believe that your government is acting with your consent as envisioned in our Declaration of Independence? Or do you believe, like a growing majority of fellow Americans, that the bond between government and governed is dangerously close to breaking - the victim of relentless money-first, party-first, special interest-first, win-at-all-costs focus?

This is not just some political science debate. For in this accelerating disconnect, the greatest challenges facing Americans are going unanswered by the very leaders we elect to address them. Clearly the problem cannot and will not produce the solution; that must be led by the governed.

Issue One is the leading national nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to political reform and government ethics. It is focused on the core civic issue of our time: fixing democracy for the sake of returning our government to the people.

Three years ago, Issue One began the ReFormers Caucus, a diverse coalition of former members of Congress, governors and cabinet officials now almost 200 strong and still growing! We aim to dedicate our unique knowledge and experience inside the system to highlight the threat and work with fellow citizens toward real solutions.

Last week, Audrey and I joined my fellow ReFormers Caucus members in Philadelphia, where it all began. We gathered in tiny Carpenters' Hall, where the First Continental Congress convened in 1774 and in just seven weeks hammered out many of the basic principles and compromises on which our democracy is based.

There we unveiled our Declaration to Renew the Founders' Promise and invited our fellow citizens to join our recommitment. Later, at the National Constitution Center overlooking a floodlit Independence Hall, we conducted a live citizens' town hall to jumpstart a national focus on fixing politics.

It was deeply humbling and inspiring, and we came away from Philadelphia not with despair but with hope and belief that we can all renew the promise, just as we have before.

The broad outlines at all levels of government are to promote transparency and disclosure, increase participation in elections, reduce pay-to-play politics, strengthen enforcement of existing laws, and improve government integrity and accountability. Specific proposals include curbing soft and dark money contributions and strengthening conflict of interest and ethics rules.

We need you! Here are just a few ways you can help take our government back: join growing numbers of your fellow citizens who have signed our declaration to show your own commitment to real reform; ask your U.S. senators and representatives to join the Congressional Reformers Caucus and sign on to proposed legislation to fix politics now; make political reform your top issue in the critical elections for federal, state and local government this year; and hold your candidates accountable with your support and vote.

As I sat in Carpenters' Hall with my colleagues, I reflected that the founders who met there almost two-and-a-half centuries ago didn't then know that much of the rest of the world, including Hawaii, even existed. Yet they declared universal ideals that earned the consent of the governed and have stood the test of time and place.

Ideals that, in these difficult times, are worth fighting for, all over again.